Belgium: Gargamel Will Go Smurf Hunting at Plopsa Coo Starting This July

From July 1, visitors to the Plopsa Coo amusement park in Stavelot, Belgium, can expect a smurfy coaster attraction. As the Plopsa Group has now announced, the existing roller coaster “Halvar” (by Vekoma), which first went into operation in 1989, will receive a new theming entirely dedicated to the Smurf opponent “Gargamel” and the new name “De Smurfer” (Eng.: The Smurfs). The re-theming, which is being done in collaboration with IMPS, the worldwide license holder of the The Smurfs IP, will be comprehensive and includes the waiting area, the station and the wagons. The highlight of the renewed attraction will be the new station building, which will be visually modeled after Gargamel’s castle.

“The idea to eternalize the Smurfs with their own attraction in the park is a logical consequence of the enormous popularity of the characters among parents and children. Many of today’s parents grew up with the Smurfs, and thanks to the new animated series, children are now also fans of the popular blue characters. We are therefore delighted to be able to realise this project,” comments Plopsa Group CEO Steve Van den Kerkhof. Véronique Culliford, Chairman of IMPS and daughter of Smurfs creator Pierre Culliford (Peyo), is also enthusiastic: “We are very proud of the collaboration with Plopsa. The Smurfs will undoubtedly provide great moments for visitors young and old.”

Also: As the company recently announced, Plopsa’s newest Majaland Warsaw theme park is scheduled to open on May 1. (eap)